Insecticidal compositions and articles of manufacture containing the same

ABSTRACT

Aqueous based compositions for eradicating insects comprise an insecticide, such as pyrethroid and a carrier therefor wherein the carrier is in the form of an aqueous dispersion comprising starch in an amount sufficient to provide a releasable powder-like coating of the starch and insecticide on an insect controlling device, such as a paperboard insect trap. The aqueous insecticides may be applied by printing on paper, paperboard, plastic film or textiles by means employed in the corrugated paperboard industry, but may also be applied using gluing machinery, and particularly in smaller runs on modified mimeograph type duplicating equipment with a colorant. The latter printing method provides for the uniform application of insecticide onto a substrate to deliver a predetermined amount of active ingredient.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation in part of Ser. No. 210,239, filedJun. 23, 1988, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 025,436, filed Mar.13, 1987, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,819,371.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to improved insecticide compositions andto devices containing such compositions for controlling insectpopulations, and more specifically, to aqueous based insecticidalcompositions adaptable for application to substrates by highly efficientand economical printing means to provide improved insect traps, peststrips, tapes and ribbons, sheets, and the like.

Chagas' disease is the most common form of trypanosomiasis in theAmericas. An estimated 65 million people are at risk, and an estimated20 million people are currently infected with the disease. It iscommonly transmitted by large, blood-sucking triatomine (assassin) bugsfrom Venezuela, Rhodnius prolixus. This and other species of triatomidslive in the roofs and walls of dwellings of the poor throughout Southand Central America. The assassin bugs prefer structures which provideshelter for them. They include structures made of adobe, bahareque, abuilding technique using woven twigs, leaves and mud; wood and poorlyconstructed concrete blocks.

The causative agent of Chagas' disease, Trypanosoma cruzi, lives in theblood of its human victims and of the rodents and marsupials commonlyfound in rural areas. It is ingested by the assassin bug as part of itsblood meal. The parasite passes through the bug's digestive tract, andis deposited in its feces and then on the skin of its victim. Theparasite eventually enters the circulatory system either by beingscratched into a wound or through the eyes whereupon it attacks thetissues of various organs, and particularly the heart, eventuallycausing death of the host.

International and national public health strategies have emphasizederadicating or controlling insect vectors in order to minimize thespread of disease. Since the 1940's, the effectiveness of this strategyhas depended upon the widespread use of chemical pesticides. It was onceexpected that pesticides alone would be sufficient to eliminate thethreat of major insect-born diseases. Reliance on such a highlyspecialized strategy has for some time been questioned because of theproblems it has caused, e.g. unintentional extermination of beneficialspecies, accelerated mutation of resistance to chemicals in vectors,lingering environmental pollution causing secondary public healthproblems, inflationary costs representing a financial drain on thefragile economies of developing nations and on the limited budgets ofinternational agencies, and chronic organizational and bureaucraticproblems which have inhibited effective delivery of services to affectedpopulations.

In Venezuela, for example, the government's approach to building andrenovating housing has been ineffective both socially and structurally.Reports indicate that some of the effectiveness of chemical sprays wasneutralized within a short time period because of the lime content ofwhite-washed walls of rural houses. The concrete block material used innew building construction fractured in a short period of two years.This, along with poor traditional construction methods, help to provideincreased breeding grounds for the vector. Hence, although chemicalmeans remain an important part of the strategies for controlling diseasevectors, alternative lower cost, environmentally safe means are neededfor controlling insect populations, particularly those associated withthe transmission of disease. Such alternatives have been limited, e.g.by the previously unpredictable behavior which reduced the effectivenessof proposed traps.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has now been unexpectedly discovered that the triatomid assassin bugstend not to enter an opening which is removed from their line of travel,i.e. they tend not to search for openings but rather use them only iffound in their normal path.

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide an insect trapwhich comprises a generally rectangular-shaped enclosure having outerwalls defining an interior chamber, the trap comprising divider meansfor separating the interior chamber into adjacent substantiallytriangular-shaped hollow bodies, such triangular shapes having beenfound to be appealing to the assassin bugs. Two adjoining outer wallsprovide the legs of each triangular-shaped body, each body having atleast one insect entrance of sufficient size generally in the regionwhere the legs of each triangular body are adjoined to one another.

Another object of the invention is to provide an insect trap, asdescribed above, wherein the triangular hollow bodies are righttriangular shaped with two adjoining outer walls each forming a rightangle with insect entrances located in the right angles.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an insect trap, asdescribed above, which includes additional insect entrances in a planarsurface of at least one leg of each right triangular-shaped body, thusintercepting any straight line of travel over the trap.

A still further object is the positioning of such entrances in such away as to permit a darkened area within the trap in which the bug mayhide during daylight.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved insecttrap having an insecticide positioned in each hollow body of the trap.

A further principal object of the invention is to provide improvedcompositions and methods of application suitable for coating insectcontrolling devices wherein the compositions comprise an insecticide anda carrier in the form of an aqueous dispersion comprising starch in asufficient amount which when applied to a substrate will release aninsect killing amount of starch particles with insecticide upon contactby the insect.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved insect trap,as defined above, wherein the insecticide is a contact poison printed orotherwise coated onto the interior walls of each hollow body.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a further understanding of the invention as well as itscharacterizing features, reference should now be made to the followingdetailed description thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top view of an unfolded blank for the insect trap of theinvention with folding scores and insecticide applied to all interiorsurfaces.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the assembled insect trap prepared fromthe blank of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged end sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 2with assassin bugs positioned in the regions of the vertex of thetriangular-shaped hollow bodies.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning first to FIG. 1, there is shown a paperboard blank 10 which canbe folded and assembled into a useful insect trap according to FIG. 2.The paperboard blank preferably comprises an outer coating (not shown)such as a wax, synthetic polyolefin or any equivalent coating which issuitable in preventing rapid deterioration from moisture and otherweather conditions. The thickness of the paperboard should also besufficient to impart adequate rigidity to the assembled trap.

Blank 10 comprises six principal panels: first and second interiordivider panels 12, 14 at each end of the blank, and first, second, thirdand fourth outer wall panels 16, 18, 20, 22, respectively, positionedbetween the first and second interior divider panels. Scoring 13, 15,17, 19, 21 between each of the six panels permits easy folding of theblank into a generally rectangular-shaped enclosure 25."Rectangular-shaped enclosure" for purposes of this invention isintended to mean any four-sided body having four right angles, includingsubstantially square bodies, and bodies shaped like rectangles.

First and second outer wall panels 16, 18 are perforated to formedge-type insect entrances 46, 48, 50 which overlap both outer wallpanels. Third and fourth outer wall panels 20, 22 also have multipleedge-type insect entrances 64, 66, 68 overlapping the two panels. Insectentrances should be sufficiently wide to allow easy entry of the largestspecies being eradicated in a particular situation. This would includelarge openings for the triatomine vector, as well as for cockroachesincluding the American, German and Madagascar species. Obviously,smaller species of insect vectors like bedbugs and lice of which theinsect traps disclosed herein are useful, can have entrances of smallerdimension.

Edge-type insect entrances 46, 48, 50, 64, 66, 68, are shown spaced fromone another. By spacing the insect entrances from each other addedstructural rigidity and strength are imparted to the trap. However, thepresent invention contemplates at least one edge-type entrance for eachof the pairs of outer wall panels. Thus, for example, instead ofmultiple entrances 46, 48, 50 being spaced from one another, theinvention also contemplates the use of a single large insect entrance inplace thereof.

Blank 10 preferably includes particularly for the triatomine vectoradditional spaced slots 52, 54, 56 as entrances in the second outer wallpanel 18. Additional spaced slots 58, 60, 62 as insect entrances arealso preferred in the fourth outer wall panel 22. The additional insectentrances should be in close proximity to edge-type entrances in orderto restrict the amount of light entering the confined areas favored bythe triatomine vector, as more fully discussed below. It is preferredthat the additional spaced slots be generally parallel with the edgetype insect entrances because the triatomine vector's tendency to travelin a nonsearching, straight path.

Blank 10 also includes means for forming an enclosure, i.e. tabs 28, 30and end-closure 24, 26; tabs 32, 34 and end-closure 36, 38. Closure 36may also have observation openings 40 for visual checking for insects.In addition, an assembly tab 42 at the end of the first divider panel 12may be used as a suspending means for hanging traps on walls, etc. Tab42 engages with slit 44 at the time of assembly.

The surface of the blank which will form the interior walls of the trapcan be treated with appropriate insecticidal compositions 70 (FIGS. 1AND 2). Especially novel compositions for application to the insect trapwalls, as well as for application to other insect controlling deviceslike pest strips, fly papers, tapes, ribbons, sheets, etc., according tothe present invention are those comprising an insecticide and a carrieror vehicle therefor. The carrier consists of an aqueous dispersion ofstarch, preferably any finely milled starch of vegetable origin e.g.seeds of rice, corn, potato and wheat. The important novel feature ofthis aspect of the invention is that the starch is employed in asufficient amount such that when applied to the substrate i.e. surfaceof the insect controlling device, starch particles with toxic amounts ofinsecticide sorbed thereon are released from the substrate on contact bythe insects. This is intended to exclude viscous starch compositionsthat are pasty or glue-like in consistency. Such compositions hardenupon drying and fail to release the desired toxic amounts of insecticideto provide efficient knockdown and kill rates.

While not wishing to be held in any specific mechanism of action,nevertheless it is believed the insecticide becomes absorbed or adsorbedonto the starch particulates in the aqueous dispersion. The quantity ofstarch present in the dispersion should be sufficient to provide auniform powder-like coating or dusting of insecticide on the substrate,especially when printed or rolled onto the substrate and allowed to dry.It was discovered that with this concentration of starch the particlesare readily released from the coated substrate upon contact by insects.The particles appear to adhere to the legs or other appendages ofinsects. It is believed that contact poisons, such as permethrin andother pyrethroids, for example, are desorbed or released from the starchparticles and readily absorbed acting systemically on the centralnervous system to kill insects usually within a short period.

The carrier of the insecticide compositions generally contains fromabout 5 to about 110 percent weight-in-volume of starch based on waterin the dispersion, and more preferably, from about 50 to about 100percent weight-in-volume of the starch based on volume of water presentin the dispersion. Weight-in-volume --(w/v)--is intended to denote itsordinary meaning, namely the number of grams of starch per 100 ml. ofwater in the dispersion.

As previously indicated, the quantity of starch in the dispersion is animportant and key aspect of the invention. Dispersions of starch, forexample, which exceed the upper end range disclosed hereinabove are lesseffective because they are too viscous, and have consistencies of gluesand pastes. Insecticidal compositions having the consistency of glue orpaste readily adhere to the substrate and become hard on drying, andconsequently, there is inadequate release of insecticide from thesubstrate to provide efficient rates of kill. While the more dilutedispersions containing less than 50 percent weight-in-volume starch per100 ml of water have slower rates of kill than the higher preferredrange, they are nevertheless generally effective vehicles forinsecticides. The more dilute dispersions provide the desired uniformpowder-like coating of insecticide on the substrate which is readilyreleased from the substrate with contact by insects.

Suitable insecticides include a broad range of synthetic and naturalmaterials, such as the halogenated organics, particularly chlorinatedtypes like gamma-benzene hexachloride; esters of phosphoric acid likedichlorvos, and particularly the pyrethroids which have been shown to behighly effective against Chagas' disease vectors. Representativeexamples of pyrethroids include deltamethrin, cypermethrin (availableunder the Cymbush trademark), fenpropthrin, all of which have beensuccessfully used in controlling Chagas' disease vectors. Others includecyflutherin (Bayer) and permethrin (FMC). Typically, pyrethroids areapplied at the rate of from about 0.1 to about 7 g/m² ; phosphoric acidesters at about 4.0 to about 12 g/m² and halogenated organics at therate of about 3 to about 15 g/m². The pyrethroids are all well knowncontact poisons which penetrate the blood directly through the insectcuticle.

In addition to the aqueous starch dispersions, the insecticidecompositions disclosed herein contemplate various optional additives,such as attractants, sustained release additives and colorants,including inks, pigments and dyes. In this regard, the insecticidalcompositions may also include various known attractants to lure insectsinto the trap or other insect controlling device. Representativeexamples include sex hormones, sugars like sucrose or other equivalentsweetening agents and certain organic chemicals like acetone andtoluene, the latter of which have been thought to be of some value inattracting Chagas' disease vectors because they may simulate humanrespiratory or metabolic breath components. It has also been found, insome instances, attractants like sugar may enable the use of reducedquantities of starch in the compositions because insects tend to feed onthe coating itself.

It has also been discovered that the rate of release of insecticide froma coated substrate may be modified by the addition of sodium silicate,and more preferably, silica flour, the latter being commerciallyavailable from Riverside Chemical Company, N. Tonawanda, N.Y. In orderto reduce the rate of release, or for a more sustained rate of releasethe insecticide compositions may contain from about 1 to about 15percent by weight of these additives.

In addition to the foregoing, it has been found advantageous to alsoincorporate a colorant into the insecticide compositions aid in theidentification of substrates or substrate surfaces having the poisonousmaterial applied thereto. Because the aqueous insecticidal compositionsdry into essentially colorless coatings the addition of a small amountof any inert colorant material, such as an ink, dye or pigment to theformulation will aid in identifying surfaces coated with thecompositions for safer handling of coated articles by manufacturers andconsumers.

The insecticide-containing compositions described herein have the addedbenefit, namely properties which permit application by convenient andefficient printing means to paper, paperboard, cardboard, plastic andtextile-fabric type substrates by offset printing methods. Althoughapplication by printing means offers important advantages, other methodsof application may also be employed, such as by rollers, for bothaqueous and non-aqueous based printing inks, brush and sprayingtechniques.

The present invention also contemplates, particularly for largerproduction runs, the application of the insecticide compositions topaperboard and other similar substrates by equipment and machinesclosely allied with the manufacture of corrugated paperboard, foldingboxes, envelopes and tape making. Representative examples of suitablemachines and apparatus for applying the aqueous starch/insecticidecompositions are the Speed King gluing machine manufactured by theInternational Paper Box Machine Corporation, and a corrugated singleface type machine manufactured by the Langston Corporation. This lattergluing machine can perform single, double or triple gluing in affixingthe outer paperboard faces to the inner corrugated core. Suitablemachines for gluing and folding envelopes which may be used in theapplication of starch-water based insecticides are those available fromW and D Machinery Company, Kansas City, Mo. and F. L. Smith, Inc.,Dunkerville, Pa.

Accordingly, a further aspect of the invention provides for a method ofapplying the dispersions disclosed hereinabove by the steps of:

(a) providing an aqueous dispersion comprising the starch andinsecticide;

(b) providing a machine suitable for applying a gluing composition toarticles selected from the group consisting of paperboard, foldingboxes, envelopes, and tape;

(c) loading the machine with the insecticide-containing dispersion, and

(d) applying a coating of the dispersion to the substrate.

In fabricating insect traps with the insecticide compositions, includingthe improved traps described herein, the paperboard stock can be mostconveniently coated with the compositions prior to being stamped intoblanks. That is, the surface of an entire sheet of paperboard can betreated by spraying, brushing, painting, printing and the like, prior toor even after being formed into an insect trap blank. For smaller scaleproduction useful printing methods according to the present inventionprovide for mimeograph type printing with equipment, such as thatavailable from A. B. Dick Company which normally employs a stencil on arotating drum through which ink is pressed. The insecticide compositionscan be readily and efficiently applied using such duplicating equipment,however, modified by removing the stencil customarily used on therotating drum. The pad on the drum below the stencil has been found tobe useful in applying the starch based insecticidal compositions.

The improved method of applying insecticide with the modified mimeographmachine was quite unexpected because it was anticipated that the flowrate of the aqueous compositions from this equipment would result inpossible over saturation or flooding of substrate surfaces. Surprisinglyhowever, it was found that the starch component of the insecticideserves as a "built-in" flow regulator for the insecticide during theprinting process. It is believed that the starch employed in the amountsdisclosed herein increases the viscosity of the composition sufficientlyto prevent excess dispersion flowing from the pad mounted on the drumfrom saturating or flooding the paperboard stock. This is importanteconomic and technical advantage over other methods of applicationbecause the compositions are uniformly metered from the press or gluingdevice only in amounts needed to provide coatings which yield high killrates. Accordingly, a further aspect of the invention includes thediscovery that a carrier or vehicle for coating compositions containinga starch component can be readily applied using standardduplicating/mimeograph equipment for efficient application to substrateswith minimal capital outlay especially for small production runs.

Accordingly, the process of printing a dispersion onto a substrateaccording to the invention includes the steps of:

a) providing a dispersion containing a sufficient amount of starchparticulates;

b) providing a mimeograph-type printing device with a drum pad andwithout a duplicating stencil, and

c) applying a coating of the dispersion onto a printable substrate byloading the printing device with the dispersion.

Blank 10 can be easily assembled into an insect trap like that shown inFIG. 2 by folding the first diagonal divider panel 12 over the secondouter wall panel 18 which is secured by inserting assembly tab 42through slit 44. A first substantially triangular-shaped hollow body isformed. The expression "substantially triangular shaped" is intended notonly to include three-sided bodies, but also bodies which may have afourth side. i.e. a wall is used in place of the apex of the triangular.An adhesive (not shown) is preferably applied to the backside of dividerpanel 12 and second diagonal divider panel 14 folded over so thebackside of panel 14 makes physical contact with the adhesive applied topanel 12. This forms an internal chamber divided diagonally intoadjacent triangular-shaped hollow bodies. Tabs and end-closures are thenfolded inwardly to form a sturdy, economical insect trap which can bemass produced at a cost which makes it affordable for use by populationsof the poor in need throughout South and Central America.

FIG. 3 provides an end-sectional view of the generallyrectangular-shaped trap of FIG. 2 with divider means 71 separating thetrap into adjacent right triangular-shaped hollow bodies 72, 74. Thehollow bodies provide dual insect chambers which are especiallyattractive to the vector of Chagas' disease, such as the triatomidRhodnius prolixus 73. In this regard, the insect, which is nocturnal,seeks shelter in closely confined spaces during the light hours.Behavioral studies have shown that this insect vector prefers structureswhich will not only shelter them from daylight, but also confining areaswhich allow the posterior portions of their bodies to be easily nestledup to and make contact with surfaces of the shelter. Hence, the vertexregions 75, 84 of right triangular hollow bodies 72, 74, respectively,provide the type of close confining shelter which assassin bugs findespecially alluring.

The bugs enter the trap at lower level entrances 80, 83 or upper levelentrances 81, 82 (FIG. 3). In this regard, it will be observed thegenerally right angular configuration at entrance 80 formed by righttriangle legs 76, 78, and right angular configuration at entrance 81formed by right triangle legs 77, 79. This type of opening provides easyaccess to the trap interior chambers without emitting excessive light tothe vertex regions.

Entrances 82, 83 provide added assurance that the insect will enter thetrap especially when approaching the outside wall along triangle legs77, 78 at a point distal from edge entrances 80, 81. The location ofalternative entrances 82, 83 should be in proximity to edge entrances torestrict the amount of light entering the interior of the trap in vertexregions 75, 84.

Although it is desirable for the triatomine vector to remain inside thetrap, in the event it quickly exits the trap the coating of contactpoison, permethrin, on the interior surfaces of the trap is readilyabsorbed and will kill the insect usually within a few hours or evenless.

An early design of an insect trap for the triatomine vector wasdescribed in a paper presented at a workshop on Sep. 17, 1984 by HaroldL. Cohen during a meeting of the XI International Congress for TropicalMedicine and Malaria in Calgary, Canada. This pioneering work didestablish the validity of insect traps as a potentially useful means forcontrolling the triatomine vector. However, test results with thisearliest trap did not prove to be totally acceptable because ofrelatively small reductions in insect populations. It is thought thatthe locations of the insect entrances and/or possibly the dimensions ofthe openings and other design features were the primary cause of thegenerally unacceptable results with this earliest insect trap. As thispoint the unexpected "line of travel" behavior of the insect was eithernot known or not recognized as being important.

The following specific examples demonstrate the various embodiments ofthe invention, however, it is to be understood that these examples arefor illustrative purposes only and do not purport to be whollydefinitive as to conditions and scope.

EXAMPLE I

In order to demonstrate the effective proportional ranges of starch indispersions containing insecticide the following experiment wasconducted:

Five aqueous starch dispersions with finely milled potato starch wereprepared for each of two days with the following proportions:

a) 50 grams starch to 100 grams water

b) 60 grams starch to 100 grams water

c) 75 grams starch to 100 grams water

d) 100 grams starch to 100 grams water

e) 125 grams starch to 10 grams water

Each dispersion (a-e) contained 25 grams of cyfluthrin (15 to 20% activeingredient) a permethrin type pyrethroid. Two series of tests wereperformed on different days to determine average kill times for Germanroaches on hot pressed papers coated with the dispersions. Thedispersions were applied with a sponge-like applicator which provided athin, but equal amount of the compositions on individual paper samples.

The average knockdown times for the trials were as follows:

a) With 50% w/v, roach on its back in 20 minutes

b) With 60% w/v, roach on its back in 10 minutes

c) With 75% w/v, roach on its back in 6 minutes

d) With 100%, roach on its back in 10 minutes

e) With 125% w/v, roach was still alive after 1 hour

The above test results show the overall best knockdowns were achievedwith dispersions containing from 50 to 100 percent w/v starch with thebest performance being provided by compositions containing 75 percentstarch (c). Those containing 50 percent starch were somewhat slowerpossibly because of the lower concentration of starch. However, theknockdown time was still acceptable. Those containing 125 percent starch(e) had a consistency of paste or glue, and did not allow for therelease of sufficient starch particles containing insecticide.

EXAMPLE II

Compositions having the following formulations were prepared:

    ______________________________________                                        PART A                                                                        ______________________________________                                        Permethrin*           25.0   grams                                            Triton 193            12.5   grams                                            Silica flour          12.5   grams                                            Cream corn starch     25.0   grams                                            Table sugar (granulated                                                                             50.0   grams                                            Brown Pelican ink     5.0    ml                                               Water                 400.0  ml                                               Acetone               12.5   grams                                            Toluene               12.5   grams                                            ______________________________________                                         Liquid form of ((3phenoxyphenyl) methyl (±) cis/trans                      3(2-dichloroethenyl)-2, 2dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate) (FMC Corp.)    

Water and starch were first mixed together to form an aqueous dispersionor suspension. Sugar as an attractant was then added to dissolve in thedispersion. The silica flour was then incorporated into the dispersion.Triton-193, a wetting agent, was then added to improve the wettabilityof the pyrethroid in the dispersion. After incorporating the Permethrinthe acetone and toluene were added for enhancing attraction fortriatomids. The ink was then mixed into the dispersion as an indicator.

The composition of Part A was suitable for printing onto 22 Pt claycoatpaperboard used in making the insect traps according to FIGS. 1 and 2 ofthe drawings.

    ______________________________________                                        PART B                                                                        ______________________________________                                        Cymbush 3E*          175    grams                                             Silica flour         87.5   grams                                             Cream cornstarch     175    grams                                             granulated sugar     700    grams                                             water                2800   ml                                                Acetone              87.5   grams                                             Toluene              87.5   grams                                             colored dye                 qs.                                               ______________________________________                                         *Active ingredient 35.6% cypermethrin                                    

The compositions of Parts A and B were applied to the insect traps ofFIGS. 1 and 2 which in-turn were tested against Triatoma infestans fromsecond, third and fourth in-star levels. Knockdown times were measured.Length of time for paralysis was observed to range from between 39minutes on the back with no movement in two hours. Kill times for adultspecies were observed to range from 40 minutes up to 11/2 hours. Thedifferences in time are believed to be due to variations in weight anddegree of movement of the organism on the treated surfaces of the traps.

Although the invention has been described in considerable detail withrespect to the preferred embodiements thereof, it will be apparent thatthe invention is capable of numerous modifications and variations tothose skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention, as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A composition comprising an insecticide and a carriertherefor, said carrier being in the form of an aqueous dispersioncomprising starch particles present in a sufficient amount which whenapplied to a substrate will release an insect killing amount of starchparticles with insecticide upon contact by the insect.
 2. Thecomposition of claim 1 wherein the amount of starch present in thedispersion is sufficient to provide a powder-like coating of starch andinsecticide on the substrate surface when substantially dry.
 3. Thecomposition of claim 1 wherein the starch in the dispersion is presentin an amount ranging from abut 5 to about 110 percent weight-in-volumebased on water in said dispersion.
 4. The composition of claim 2 whereinthe starch in said dispersion is present in an amount ranging from about50 to about 100 percent weight-in-volume based on water in saiddispersion.
 5. The composition of claim 3 including an agent selectedfrom the group consisting of insect attractant, colorant, insecticiderelease extender and mixtures thereof.
 6. The composition of claim 1including a member selected from the group consisting of printing ink,pigment and dye.
 7. The composition of claim 5 including a memberselected from the group consisting of printing ink, pigment and dye. 8.The composition of claim 6 including an insect attractant.
 9. Thecomposition of claim 7 including an insect attractant.
 10. Thecomposition of claim 1 including an insecticide selected from the groupconsisting of a pyrethroid, a chlorinated organic compound and aphosphoric acid ester.
 11. The composition of claim 10 including amaterial selected from the group consisting of sodium silicate andstarch flour.
 12. An insect trap comprising a coating of the compositionof claim
 1. 13. An insect trap comprising a coating of the compositionof claim
 2. 14. An insect trap comprising a coating of the compositionof claim
 3. 15. An insect trap comprising a coating of the compositionof claim
 5. 16. An insect trap comprising a coating of the compositionof claim
 6. 17. An insect trap blank comprising a coating of thecomposition of claim
 10. 18. An insect trap blank comprising a coatingof the composition of claim
 1. 19. A pest control strip comprising acoating of the composition of claim
 1. 20. A paperboard sheet comprisinga coating of the composition of claim
 1. 21. An insect trap comprising agenerally rectangular-shaped enclosure having interconnected outer sidewalls and outer opposing end walls engaging with said side walls toprovide a closed interior chamber, said trap comprising divider meansfor separating said closed interior chamber into adjacent substantiallytraiangular-shaped hollow bodies in which at least two adjacent outerside walls provide the legs of each substantially triangular-shapedhollow body, each body of said trap having at least one insect entranceof sufficient size located in said adjacent outer side walls, said traphaving a coating composition comprising an insecticide and a carriertherefor, said carrier being in the form of an aqueous dispersioncomprising starch present in a sufficient amount which when applied tosaid trap will release an insect killing amount of starch particles withinsecticide upon contact by the insect.